Footwear

ABSTRACT

An overshoe for fashion wear, but which is hardwearing and inexpensive to manufacture, has an upper, part ( 4 ) and a sole part ( 7 ), the sole part being bonded to the upper part. The upper part fits closely over the upper, sole, instep and heel of a shoe and includes a first inner side panel ( 8 ), a second outer side panel ( 10 ), and a base panel ( 50 ), the side panels and base panel being formed of a transparent or translucent PVC based material that has flexibility and resilience. The side panels and base section are secured together along adjacent edges to define the overshoe, including a heel part. A releasable zip fastener ( 30 ) permits the overshoe, to be pulled over a shoe. When the zip fastener is closed, the overshoe fit&#39;s snugly over the shoe.

The present invention relates to footwear, in particular overshoes or galoshes that are intended to be worn over another shoe for protection of the shoe from wet and other harmful conditions.

BACKGROUND ART

There have been various proposals for overshoes for personal use, as opposed to industrial or commercial applications, see for example JP2004105695, FR 2608024, WO 2004023915, U.S. Pat. No. 2,479,006. Generally, the emphasis on designing such overshoes has been functionality in terms of an overshoe that may fit over a variety of shoes, and is hard wearing. Such overshoes in view of their appearance are not in general suitable for wearing over fashion shoes.

An overshoe has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,604,954, of lightweight waterproof construction for wearing over a dress slipper, and is formed of a transparent top part and a sole part. The top part has an inner lining of for example silk with an outer lining of thin transparent rubber. The top part is of one piece construction with gussets on each side to permit the overshoe to be pulled over a foot and to fit snugly. However the overshoe described lacks practicality, even for fashion wear. The one piece upper part is liable to stretch and/or split. The materials proposed, with a layered construction, increase expense.

EP-A-0346005 discloses a shoe cover, primarily for decorative purposes for changing colour of the shoe, formed of a one- or two-piece blank, which covers both inner and outer surfaces of the shoe. The cover does not cover the heel of the shoe but has an aperture through which the heel extends. The construction would not be suitable for protecting from rain.

FR-A-1139328 discloses a cover for the stiletto heel of a shoe. The purpose of the cover is functional, for protection of the shoe while driving a car.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an overshoe or galosh intended for fashion wear, which has an attractive appearance, but which is nevertheless functional and hardwearing to permit repeated use.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an overshoe or galosh intended for fashion wear, which is easy to pack and store.

The present invention provides in a first aspect, an overshoe comprising a plurality of panels including at least a first inner side panel and a second outer side panel, said plurality of panels being formed of a polymer material that has flexibility and resilience, and said plurality of panels being secured together along adjacent edges whereby to provide an overshoe having areas for fitting closely around the upper, sole, instep and heel of a shoe,

and a relatively thick sole sheet member bonded to a sole area of said panels.

As preferred a releasable fastener means is positioned within the upper part, whereby when the fastener means is opened, said flexibility and resilience permits the overshoe to be pulled over a shoe, and when the releasable fastener means is closed, the overshoe may fit snugly over the shoe.

In accordance with the invention, an overshoe is provided that is compatible with, or may even enhance, the appearance of a fashion shoe worn by the user. The transparent nature of the material permits the inner shoe to be seen; the material may be partially transparent with a decorative pattern formed within the material. Alternatively or in addition decorative tags, flaps and edgings may be provided.

The material of the overshoe panels may be a polyester mixed with rubbery materials, or a PVC material with blended materials to give the PVC its desired qualities of flexibility, resilience and strength. Such material are commercially available, and are for example marketed by Giovanni Crespi S.p.A, of Legnano-Milano, Italy—see www.Crespi.it.

The characteristics of the material permit the parts of the overshoe to be bonded or sewn together, and the join lines may provide extra strength and reinforcement. A securing by stitching has the advantage that the stitch line provides a degree of flexibility and strength that is desired with footwear, where large stresses may arise during use. The base regions of the two side panels may have a plurality of flaps that are sewn together to provide an instep area and a sole area (and conceivably a heel section), which is stiffened and reinforced by the stitch lines, and to which the sole sheet member is affixed

Alternatively the sections may be secured together by ultrasonic welding. This is to be preferred for lower cost, and for providing a more watertight join line. As preferred the welding is carried out using a Cera Rotosonic tool, which includes a rotating wheel with a knurled rim through which ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted; see www.cerafrance.fr—Cera, Rue de 8 Mai BPI2, 42390 Villars, France.

The method of fabrication or manufacture of the overshoe is essentially inexpensive, in that expensive molds are not required; the panels may simply be cut from a sheet of material and then secured together.

The sole sheet member is provided for prolonged use and may be formed of a hardwearing synthetic rubber, between say 1 mm and 5 mm thick.

The releasable fastener means may comprise a zip fastener, Velcro tape, a flap with popper fasteners, a lace received in eyelets, a buckle, or any other convenient means. The fastener means may be positioned along one of the sew lines at the front or rear of the overshoe. Alternatively, the fastener means may be positioned in one of the side panels of the overshoe.

As preferred a base panel section is provided, in addition to said side panels, consisting of one or more panels. Such base panel section may comprise a heel section formed of elongate first and second side panels that extend along the length of a heel, and an elongate inner panel that extends between the first and second side panels, along the length of the heel. The three panels are secured together along adjacent edges. This provides a strong construction that may fit very closely to a stiletto heel for example. However the overshoe of the invention may be applied to any fashion shoe with a raised heel. Further in accordance with the invention the heel section may be over dimensioned in its length so as to permit cutting to a desired length for fitting a particular shoe.

Alternatively the base panel section may comprise a single base panel that defines the sole, instep and inner part of the heel. Said side panels define the outer parts of the heel. The base panel and side panels are joined along the edges of the sole and instep, and along the heel to form the overshoe. Since this only requires three panels, this represents a very economic way of forming the overshoe.

The side panels are preferably of similar shape so that the overshoes of the present invention have a degree of symmetry so that an overshoe may be equally fitted both on left and right feet, decorative details permitting.

Providing the upper part of the overshoe in accordance with the invention with first and second side panels, has a particular advantage in that the overshoe may be laid flat when not in use with the two side panels on top of one another, and the sole part folded on top. The side panels may then be folded up to a compact configuration. A small holder, carrier, or pouch is desirable provide to receive a pair of such overshoes, such that the holder may be carried in one hand as a fashion accessory or be carried in a lady's handbag. The carrier may be desirably formed as of the same material as the overshoe, and may comprise a single long section that is folded over to form the carrier sides and a closure flap. Two small edge lengths are provide that are secured to the edges of the carrier sides to form the container for the overshoes.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a overshoe pack comprising first and second overshoes folded up and received in a container, each of the overshoes being as set forth above

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawings wherein:—

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred form of the overshoe according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a top panel for the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the panels for the heel section for the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of panels constituting the parts of the second embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a specific example of the invention, together with a carry holder or pouch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a lady's fashion shoe with stiletto heel 4. An overshoe 6 in accordance with the invention fits closely over shoe 2, following the contours of the heel, sole, instep and upper parts of the shoe. Overshoe 6 is transparent so that overshoe 2 can clearly be seen. The overshoe 6 comprises a sole member 7 and a top or upper part comprising a first outer side panel 8, a second inner side panel 10, and a heel section 12. The three parts are sewn together along sew lines at adjacent edges of the parts, 14 and 16 at the front and rear of the shoe, and along line 18 between the top panels and the heel section. The material of these three parts is a PVC material with blended materials to give the PVC its desired qualities of flexibility, resilience and strength—as referenced above. The heel section comprises three panels, namely first and second side heel panels 20, 22, and an inner heel panel 24. These heel panels are sewn together along sew lines 26.

A zip fastener 30 is provided at the front of the overshoe along sew line 14. A decorative item 40 is attached to side part 8.

Inner and outer panels 10, 8 are of similar shape and size so that the overshoe has symmetry about a central plane through sew lines 12, 14 and the overshoe may be fitted either to a left or right foot.

Referring to FIG. 2, this shows a plan view of top outer panel 8 for the embodiment of FIG. 1. It may be seen the front edge is recessed at 80 to receive a zip fastener strip. The lower region of panel 8 has three flaps 82, 83, 84. Flap 84 is designed to provide an instep area which fits under the instep of the shoe and is folded over to be sewn to a corresponding flap of inner panel 10. Flaps 82, 83 provide a sole area which is folded under the sole of the shoe and to be sewn together along adjacent edges 85, 86. In addition the edges 87, 88 of the flaps are sewn to corresponding flap edges of panel 10. The provision of these flaps and sew lines provides extra strength and reinforcement to the sole area.

Subsequently sole sheet member 7 is bonded to this sole area, member 7 comprising synthetic rubber sheet about 3 mm thick.

In FIG. 3, a heel panel 20, 22 of FIG. 1 is shown—these two panels being identical. Further an inner heel panel 24 is shown. The panel are shaped to conform to a stiletto heel. The panels forming the heel section may be cut to length for a particular heel.

Referring now to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, similar parts to those of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numeral. Outer side panel 8 is identical to inner panel 10 and comprises a main body part 50 defining the outer upper part of the overshoe, and a heel part 52 defining the outer side and rear of the heel 12. A base panel 54 defines the sole 56, instep 58, and inner surface of the heel 60. A sole sheet member 7 is bonded by bonding glue or adhesive to panels 8, 10. Sole 7 is formed of a synthetic rubber and has a significant thickness, 3 mm, to withstand prolonged use.

Panels 8, 10, 54 are secured together along their edges by ultrasonic welding, using a Cera Rotosonic tool as referenced above, to provide weld lines 62, 64, 66

FIG. 6 shows a specific example of an overshoe according to the invention, and similar parts to those of FIG. 1 are referred to be the same reference numeral. The overshoe in FIG. 6 is disposed generally flat so that it may be folded up by folding toe and sole portion 101 over the heel portion, and then folding the top part 8 over fold lines 112, 114 (roughly indicated) so as to provide a flat folded up configuration.

A pouch 116 is provided into which first and second overshoes when folded up may be inserted. Pouch 116 may be formed of the same material as the overshoes (or of a different thickness or of a different material) and comprises a single main strip 118 that is folded over and secured to side strips 120 along U-shaped weld lines 122, to form the sides of the pouch. An opening 124 is provided for receiving the overshoes. A flap 126, formed by one free end of strip 118, closes opening 124 and has a pop fastener 128 (or other fastener) for securing the flap.

The materials of the overshoes described are transparent or translucent. The materials are PVC material with blended materials to give the PVC its desired qualities of flexibility, resilience and strength. Such materials are commercially available, and are for example marketed by Giovanni Crespi S.p.A, of Legnano-Milano, Italy—types TU and TPU—see www.Crespi.it. 

1. An overshoe comprising: an inner side panel and an outer side panel, said inner and outer side panels being formed of a polymer material that has flexibility and resilience, and said inner and outer side panels being secured together along adjacent edges, thereby providing an overshoe having areas for fitting closely around the upper, sole, instep and heel of a shoe, and a sole sheet member bonded to a sole area of said panels.
 2. An overshoe according to claim 1, further comprising a releasable fastener, whereby when the releasable fastener is opened, the overshoe may be pulled over a shoe, and when the releasable fastener is closed, the overshoe fits snugly over the shoe.
 3. An overshoe according to claim 1, wherein said inner and outer side panels are formed of a polymer material with blended materials to give the desired qualities of flexibility, resilience and strength.
 4. An overshoe according to claim 1, wherein said polymer material is transparent.
 5. An overshoe according to claim 1, wherein the inner side panel is similar to the outer side panel so that the overshoe may be fitted to left or right feet.
 6. An overshoe according to claim 1, wherein said inner and outer side panels are secured together by ultrasonic welding.
 7. An overshoe according to claim 2, wherein the releasable fastener is selected from the group consisting of a zip fastener, Velcro tape, a flap with popper fasteners, a lace received in eyelets, or a buckle.
 8. An overshoe according to claim 2, wherein the fastener is positioned along a join line at the front of the overshoe.
 9. An overshoe according to claim 1, wherein the inner and outer side panels further comprise base regions and wherein the base regions of each said inner and outer side panel have a plurality of flaps that are secured together to provide a region for affixing the sole, which region is stiffened and reinforced by the join lines.
 10. An overshoe according to claim 1, further comprising a base panel section.
 11. An overshoe according to claim 10, wherein the base panel section comprises: a heel section formed of elongate first and second side panels that extend along the length of a heel of a shoe, and an elongate inner panel that extends between the first and second side panels, the panels being secured together along adjacent edges.
 12. An overshoe according to claim 10, wherein said base panel section comprises a single base panel defining the sole and instep of the overshoe.
 13. An overshoe according to claim 10, wherein said base panel defines an inner heel section, and wherein said inner and outer side panels define inner and outer heel sections.
 14. An overshoe according to claim 13, wherein the base panel defining the heel is overdimensioned in its length so that it may subsequently be cut to length.
 15. An overshoe according to claim 1, wherein said sole sheet member comprises a rubber material between 1 and 5 mm thick.
 16. An overshoe according to claim 3: wherein the overshoe is adapted to be folded and combined with other overshoes in a container.
 17. An overshoe according to claim 16 wherein the container is formed from a panel, folded over and secured along join lines, said panel being formed of a polymer material that has flexibility and resilience.
 18. An overshoe according to claim 1, wherein said polymer material is translucent.
 19. An overshoe according to claim 1, wherein said inner and outer side panels are secured together by sewing.
 20. An overshoe according to claim 2, wherein the fastener is positioned along a join line at the rear of the overshoe.
 21. An overshoe according to claim 17 wherein the said polymer material is transparent.
 22. An overshoe according to claim 17 wherein the said polymer material is translucent. 